Up and off with the dawn today. We soon run into intermittent clouds.Bumped the course switch on the autopilot when I was trying to set it up - didn't notice until some strange maneuvers started to commence. Makes me wonder if that's what happened just after I left Auckland at the start of my flight.
Nearing Ayres Rock, the skies mostly cleared with a little high cirrus to keep it looking interesting! Closer up, Ayres rock certainly looked impressive as it seemed to glow against the darker surrounding countryside.
The next day I had a chance to the Augusta A-109 out to take a closer look at Ayers Rock. It truly is a remarkable sight, I hadn't realised how big it was until we were along side. The fact that the undercarriage is down might suggest that I was about to do something culturally insensitive; however, I think it wise to say that I can neither confirm nor deny any alleged offence.
I returned to the terminal for a leisurely lunch before taking off for Perth. Disaster - as soon as I started applying full throttle the aircraft veered violently to the right. Quickly cutting back the throttles and jumping on the breaks I got it under control again. Further experimentation confirmed the fault although systems appeared normal. After taxing slowly back to the hangers I booked it in for a maintenance check and hope to be able to leave tomorrow
morning. (I guess these things happen from time to time when the realism is wound up a bit!)
Ayers Rock to Perth
Another bright sunny day to enjoy as a fly along. An uneventful take off and climb to cruising altitude 35100 today. Climbed through some nice white fluffy things before reaching clear air above a light haze. One hour 55mins to go, might be time for a coffee break I think.
Just back from the supermarket, I mean the galley, with my coffee, and saw Southern Cross airport was coming up on my port side and then Lake Deborah appeared just ahead. Makes a change from the semi-desert we have been travelling over. Nice to sit back with my coffee and be able to appreciate the view, arable farmland is now appearing below. The green looks great after the red of the central regions.
Oops, got a little distracted and found myself arriving overhead Perth at 10000 feet before I had expected, a little high for a straight in landing so orbited the city to lose a bit of height. Cloud base around 8000 feet, making it dark and overcast on the ground.Some rather severe turbulence for a few minutes at 6000ft, the passengers probably weren't too impressed by it, but the cabin attendants appeared to have kept them under control.
Decided to leave the 737 for an extended servicing and took the 777 for the next leg to Broome. Hope to spend a bit of time there and maybe the 737 will catch up with me and I will be able to continue, though there is rumour of a 767 being available for my personal use so maybe that will be my new ride from Broome. Have to wait and see I guess.
Perth to Broome
Leaving at 15:34 local time. 10 minutes into the flight FSX decided to freeze and then crash. Damn. Will have to wait for another day and try again . . .
Not sure how far this trip will extend or where it will go, so I'm I'm now think of it as the "Trip to Somewhere" - sort of like Samuel Butler discovering Erewhon maybe!
